159 nomination papers for Punjab Assembly polls rejected

Chandigarh, Jan 27 (UNI) As many as 159 nominations in eight of the 20 districts for the Assembly elections in Punjab were rejected during scrutiny today, according to preliminary reports received here this evening.

Four of the 14 nominations filed for the Amritsar Parliamentary by-elections were rejected during scrutiny as these were not found in order, leaving 10 candidates in the fray.

As many as 1612 candidates had filed their nominations for assembly elections. Information from 12 districts was still awaited.

There was no prominent candidate among those whose nominations were rejected.

The nomination papers of Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu and Finance Minister Surinder Singla, facing each other in a multi-cornered contest in the Amritsar Parliamentary by-poll, were found in order on scrutiny.

Prominent among those whose nomination papers were found in order for the Assembly elections included Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) President Parkash Singh Badal, Congress President S S Dullo, Shiromani Akali Dal ( Amritsar) President Simranjit Singh Mann and former SGPC President Bibi Jagir Kaur.

The last date of withdrawl of candidature is January 29. Polling for the 117-member assembly polls and Amritsar Lok Sabha by-election will be held on February 13.

The polling will be held from 0800 hours to 1700 hours.

The counting of votes for both Assembly and Amritsar Lok Sabha polls would take place on February 27. The election process will be completed before March 2.

UNI